New Eastman "ES-125 like" AR405

[Jx30510]

Just found out about this new Eastman AR405
ES125 'ish except for the maple neck, in pure Eastman tradition.

AR405-P90/TV-SB - Eastman Guitars AR405-P90/TV-SB - Eastman Guitars

[Jx30510]

Hasn't hit the stores yet, but I 'm interested.
I've been wanting a simple jazz guitar back (sold the last one a few years ago.. )
I'm a little more confindent with this than the Sigma SATA 200 E I was initially lurking.
This is all laminate, while the Sigma has a solid top.
But Eastman's very light construction (in most cases), I wonder if it'll have more acoustic power than the Sigma..

[ruger9]

Uh-oh. I've been waiting for someone to do this (other than Loar: QC was low, or Godin: not a fan of the neck shape).

I'll be keeping an eye on this one, mostly for the neck shape... I know Eastman has fine QC.


AR405-P90/TV-SB - Eastman Guitars

[John A.]

That model is not new, or at least the model name isn’t, though maybe it was out of production for a while. I don’t know whether it’s the same design/specs as before (for sure, it used to have white pickup cover). I tried one a while back. IIRC, I had the usual Eastman archtop reaction - great quality, brighter than the Gibson it’s styled after, with a wider nut.

[Jx30510]

Yes, I've had 3 Eastman's.
An OM style acoustic in their upper range, a T64, and a Juliet (still have the latter). All top notch.

[Jx30510]

I searched a bit an saw the older version of this. They seem to have stopped the production for quite a while.
I find this new itération to be a lot more ES125 like visually. It's not only the black pick up cover (vs white), but also the white tuners, and the sunburst is much better (less orangy)
It seems the nut is 1.72 against the 1.75. It makes a big difference for me.
I'm discovering I'm much more concerned by string spacing than neck profiles. I struggle more with neck width than neck thickness.

I have 2 Stratocasters, a MIM and a AV59 . I'm much better with the one that has the modern string spacing, vs the wide vintage.

[MHeld]

Anyone got their hands on this one yet?

[PatrickB]

I wonder how this would compare sound wise with the Godin Kingpin with the single P90?

[D.G.]

Try before you buy!!! I tried one of the older models a couple years ago from a private seller and the neck was unrepairably twisted. Sounded good though.

[ruger9]

I wonder how this would compare sound wise with the Godin Kingpin with the single P90?

My guess would be "pretty different", as the Godin's are made out of cherry. IDK in what way tonally different, but different.

[Webby]

I'm also assuming this is identical to the older AR 405E, except for different tailpiece, tuners and the addition of a pickguard.

I'm giggin' a lot with one of those oder models and really like it. We're going for a 1940s thing with my Band, and it fits the vibe.

Here's a short clip:

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[John A.]

My guess would be "pretty different", as the Godin's are made out of cherry. IDK in what way tonally different, but different.

I had the Godin and tried the old version of the Eastman. The Godin is a bit warmer sounding and has a little more acoustic volume. The Eastman has the characteristic Eastman brightness. The Godin strikes me as getting a bit closer to the sound of a 125. I suspect the differences in tone are more a consequence of how they’re built in than the wood species. But the differences aren’t all that dramatic IMO.

[ruger9]

I had the Godin and tried the old version of the Eastman. The Godin is a bit warmer sounding and has a little more acoustic volume. The Eastman has the characteristic Eastman brightness. The Godin strikes me as getting a bit closer to the sound of a 125. I suspect the differences in tone are more a consequence of how they’re built in than the wood species. But the differences aren’t all that dramatic IMO.

Great info, thanks!

[mr. beaumont]

I can get to this!

[Jx30510]

They've hit the stores here in France.. would need to go to Paris to try it.
Anyone has got his hands on one yet?
The only thing that bothers me is the 1.75 but.
But still curious.

Edit : the shop says 1.75, Eastman's site says 1.72, which is better (for me)

[MikeTT]

Very nice, but I'd insist on a mahogany neck on this kind of model (but that's just me). I wonder why there are not many lower priced models with mahogany necks. Pricing? I guess maple might be more stable and easy to use in mass production(?).